Concentrates on the fascinating life and work of Giles Fletcher, the elder (1546-1611) and his analysis of government and commonwealth, through the image of Russia. His account of Russia remains the most comprehensive early modern western European account of the 'barbaric' land on Christendom's borders.

Felicity Jane Stout is the De Velling Willis Fellow in History at the University of Sheffield

Introduction
1. An adventuring commonwealth: English mercantile and diplomatic encounters
with Russia, 1553-88
2. A commonwealths-man in Russia: Giles Fletcher's early career and embassies
3. Creating a feigned commonwealth: Fletcher's response to Russia
4. A corrupted commonwealth: Fletcher's representation of Russia
5. A commonwealth counselled: Russia's resonances in late Elizabethan England
6. A controversial commonwealth: censorship, poetry and Fletcher's later career
Conclusion: Thinking with Russia, writing English commonwealth
Select bibliography
Index